Like the title says;
Who is the biggest military aircraft fanatic here on PFF?
Can you prove it?

I've been cleaning out my home office and I ran across something that I have from back in my aerospace engineering days at Pratt & Whitney that I simply do not have room for anymore and might be appreciated by the right person.
An aircraft fanatic type person...

I had this article in my office at P&W for a few years and I'd like to see it go to someone else that I know will enjoy it.

So, convince me that you're the right person and it's your's free.
I'll even ship it to you.

Post here and tell me why, you're PFF's biggest military aircraft fanatic.

(I'll post a photo of the "prize" here once the winner has been chosen)

Cobras and CH 53s fly over here on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes, one of those new fangled Apaches. I always know the sound of the 53s by decades old instinct tho. No matter what I'm doing, I look up and watch, from the time they are 1st visible, till they become tiny distant specks on the other horizon.
If I could convey what I feel when I hear rotor blades coming from beyond the treetops, I would. I can't, so I won't try. Guess you woulda had to been there.

Don't consider me tho Randy-seriously-find someone with more time left in their life to enjoy it. But once more in this old life, to walk up that ramp, position myself in that familar starboard door, and feel the vibration, hear that dull humm of the rotorhead above, the muted sound of the hydraulics thru my helmet as we lift off, gear retracts, make a hard right turn with my head straight, but the turn is so sharp I'm looking straight down. Come back rtb so hard and fast droppin like a rock and then feel that collective pulled so hard it's like the hand of God just reached out of the sky and grabs us at the last second, then we sit down so soft we wouldn't break an eggshell. Just once more. If I'd realized that last mission would be my very last time ever, I'd have treasured it more, done it differently maybe--maybe not. Nahh--I don't miss it much.

Dimmer Lives On.

I am such a big fanatic of aircraft as a child I begged my dad to take me to the flightline (Air Force) just so I could stare at the planes. When I was old enough to walk to flightline arrea I would go and sit and watch all day. My High School class ring had Aviation on the side of it...a prop and two wings. Before I left high school I joined the Air Force and picked my job as an Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice and am now an Aerospace Maintenance Technician. I can Identify a C-5 by sound as well as differentiate between an C-130 E/H with the Allison T-56 and a C-130J with the New Rolls Royce AE2100 by sound alone. I am also studying to become a pilot and am currently enrolled in Embry Riddle University to get a B.S. in Aviation Maintenance and already have my Community College of The Air Force A.S in Aviation Maintenance Technology.

Does this qualify me? LOL

Shelby

quote Originally posted by randye: Who is the biggest military aircraft fanatic here on PFF?

While I have a life-long passion for flying and for aircraft of all types, I'm probably not a candidate (much less a finalist) for anybody's "biggest military aircraft fanatic" (although I probably know him personally) ... but I'll play anyway. Here is a beautiful piece of industrial sculpture that I have in my shop, and it came to me about 15 years ago by way of NAS Alameda:





See this thread for more information.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 08-12-2010).]

since the age of 4 ive been working on the fuel guzzleing Merlins and other Lycoming engines friends and family have in their craft.

i can hear a P-51 coming in with a howling scream before even some of my Airforce friends know its on us, i am at the EAA oshkosh gathering everyyear all week and have only missed one year inthe last 16 ive lived in the state.

around february i get like a crack adict and sit on youtube listening to flightline radio communications and teh 12 cylindered beasts powering up and taking off.

ive controlled a B-17 in flight, a C-47,*(Dc-3) a Pitts, a cessna 172, ive been up in a Huey on multiple occasions, and i say it atleast once a week :"theres nothing like the sound of a helio zipping overhead in the am, now wheres my camera?"

i have plenty of aircraft pictures on my walls, some even hand drawn from memory others copied with the craft in front of me.

ive designed my own prop powered craft and plan on soon getting my Pilots license and starting a 1943 Twin Beach resto and putting the biggest powerplants the airframe can handle and if not? then im going to redesign it to hold them and make me one fast BOAH.

Congrats to the winner

If it weren't for Fiero's and Flight, I would have time and money...

[This message has been edited by IFLYR22 (edited 08-15-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Ramsespride: , i am at the EAA oshkosh gathering everyyear all week and have only missed one year inthe last 16 ive lived in the state. .

That was one SOGGY WET MESS this year. I was there. I wont even begin to talk about the mosquitos...

As for me, I am not the biggest but I have an "avid" interest. I have been working in military Aviation since 11 January 1982. F-18s (I could tell when my plane was coming back by engine pitch Each F404 engine has its own pitch and you can tell it... I also was a crew chief on C-17s/KC 135 E and R models and currently working on Blackhawks (UH 60 crew chief)

Of course if you are talking civil aviation, I am Boeing's biggest 787 Dreamliner supporter. I watch the news Daily to keep up with that program. My only avatar on PFF: The 787. Its been there since Boeing first announced the 7E7 program.

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 08-12-2010).]

My father was air force 25 years loved planes,was head of civil air patrol I was around small aircraft a lot,,I built a lot of model aircraft.. My fave Uncle was a fighter pilot & FO in WW2,Korea.. I wanted to be a grunt after listening to him,My father could have got me into west point..
..I love propeller fighter/bombers ..I love to watch Propeller fighters come sweeping in low and drop snake & nape,, nothing more beautiful ,especially if you can see burning gooners..

I'm a aircraft nut, and although I don't want to be considered in your contest, please post pics of whatever is it when you've decided who gets it.. Curiosity is killing me.

I don't need the prize (I have too much stuff to begin with), so I'll just share my love of aircraft.

One of the earliest memories in life is standing in Tacoma, Washington and watching F-106s and CH-47s fly over. My family took me to every air show. I joined the USAF out of high school as a weapons puke of F-15C/D Eagles. I served in Alaska. I became A-Man qualified so I could launch jets, and was given an incentive ride over Cold Lake AB in Canada as a reward. We were able to break the sound barrier there so my fastest speed ever is Mach 1.27.

I also managed to establish a rule in the 11th AF command that "nose art" would be allowed under the F-15 speed break, so when it pops up you can see it. My request started with my flight chief and ended up going to the 11th Air Force Commander. My jet was "Opus" (long story), and had a picture of the penguin on the underside of the speed break with thumbs in ears and tongue out.

I've been following the ATF (Advanced Tactical Fighter) program since 1986, and have seen the F-22 in person in Vegas in a hanger at Nellis. (I have it admit that at the time it was a prototype, not an A model.)

I can identify nearly every fighter the world over from 1914 through present day. I am also a huge fan of famous fighter pilots like Richthofen, Udet, Moulders, Galland, and Hartmann. (I realize I just listed all German/Prussian pilots, but my favorites are my favorites.)

Back in the lates 90's I ran a local ISP, SpitFire.net, and the server names were HellDiver & P-51
for a long time hung the "Ghosts" calanders in my office (www.ghosts.com)
grew up next to Selfridge ANG
I still love the B-1b
been to the Wright Patterson museum almost yearly
B-1b, SR-71 & F-22
by far my favs

I've been an airplane nut since I was a kid. Having a Father that build flying models didn't hurt!
I've been working on airliners for 31 years, but my real love is war birds. I began volunteering with the Liberty Foundation on their B-17 when it showed up at the local airport around Thanksgiving '08 for its winter maintenance. As a direct result of that I made a new friend who has a Stearman, T-6, and a Bonanza. I help him work on those planes and I get flight time in all of them. I still work on the B-17, and for the last few months I've been working on a P-40E, doing a second seat installation so we can do a ride program. I've already gotten a back seat ride in it--what a blast! I've also gotten a couple of hours of right seat time in the B-17, and just got back from an airshow in Michigan that had 8 B-17s in attendance. Oshkosh has been an annual trip for the last 20 years or so. This year was a bit soggy

------------------
Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga.
"You can't have too many toys!"
1988 Fiero GT
1985 Porsche 944
1966 Porsche 911
Van's RV-6 airplane-under construction

Some very good responses here!
The prize I'm offering isn't quite a treasure like what Marvin has, but I think it is something sort of special.
I'll make my decision tomorrow at 21:00 EST based on all the replies received until then.

http://www.stclairphoto-ima...Mustang/P51_swf.html

Biggest? Probably not, however I wanted to join the military and become a F-16 or F-18 pilot. My 2 favorite military aircraft. I now live below Hill AFB and get to watch F-16's and F-22's fly around us. It looks as if Hill AFB is slated to get some F-35's also now. Pretty impressive that the F-35 can hold around 10k more gallons of fuel versus the F-16 and is only marginally wider, something like 3 feet and roughly a foot longer. They fly Warhogs around here to, a pretty impressive aircraft.

I used to build model airplanes when I was younger. I guess since, for medical reasons/limitations, I couldn't join the military atleast I can see the plane I wanted to pilot flying overhead.

[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 08-12-2010).]

If it can hover, I'm a fan. But, I already have more memorbilia than any one person has a legal right to possess. Someday I'll mount that cyclic grip on a shifter as I intended to years ago. None of the RW A/C I flew had PW engines, therefore, it's doubtful there is much significance for me but, I sincerely appreciate the saving of such items.

Don is right about the last flight. One really doesn't appreciate it until it's a memory.

Ron

i like planes and jets and stuff, but im not hugh into them.. But my dad is another story.. HE LOVES THEM!

He was in the Navy during Vietnam, and was on an aircraft carrier. He was a jet engine mechanic. He got tons of models of jets and WW2 style fighters.. Im not saying that you should give whatever it is to me (to give to my pops) but i can promise you that if its related to military aircraft, he would appreciate it like no other..

Back in April, we had the Blue Angles doing an air show at the local airport thats literally right down the street from my house.. For the entire week, they where flying right over my house while practicing, and when i say right over my house, i mean RIGHT OVER MY HOUSE.. They where flying VERY low.. Very cool too watch, and my dad set himself up a chair, and a little table for his drink, and just sat out there all day watching them for an entire week.. He had his own private little air show right over our house.. We live on a lake, and they spent most of thier time flying over the lake.. I myself enjoyed watching them, but after a while the jet engines would get on my nerves (they would practice all day long) But not my pops.. lol.. He couldent get enough..

[This message has been edited by Jonesy (edited 08-13-2010).]

Well who made the list Randye?? Inquiring minds want to know.

Shelby

quote Originally posted by ARFiero: Well who made the list Randye?? Inquiring minds want to know. Shelby

After careful consideration, and because YOU were the only one to actually inquire, ( which says that YOU are the real fanatic here), I have to say that YOU have won the prize!
Congratulations!

I know the suspense is probably more than you can bear, but give me an hour or so and I'll post a photo of the prize...
(I was actually just caught with a dead camera battery and it's charging right now....)

[This message has been edited by randye (edited 08-14-2010).]

Although I was interested to know who won, I'm more interested to know what the prize is.

Ron

My camera battery had enough juice for a couple of shots, so here is the "Grand Prize".



This is NOT a poster.
It is actually the biggest photograph I've ever seen, printed on 2 foot X 3 foot Kodak heavy photo paper.
These were given to each of us engineers who worked on the F119 engine program for the F-22 ATF at Pratt & Whitney R&D.
I was on the nozzle / augmenter, (afterburner), design team and did a considerable amount of work on the 2 dimensional vectoring nozzle.
The photo is of the flight development aircraft #1 and was taken at Andrews AFB during the down select and development program phase.
I guess this qualifies this as a sort of a small piece of aviation history?
It's a very impressive, HUGE photo when you see it on the wall.
(I would strongly suggest that you consider framing it and having glass or pexi to protect it.)

I also ran across a couple of other momentos.
Seems as though I had 2 small posters rolled up inside some other stuff, so since there were 2 other people who were the first in order in the thread to actually mention the F-22, I'll offer both of these, (one each) to "Flamberge" and to "Pyrthian".


These are approx. 18 X 22 and also depict the flight development aircraft with the Pratt & Whitney logo in the background.
These were also only handed out to members of the P&W design and development teams.

If you guys will PM me your addresses, I'll ship these off to you.

Thanks to all who played my little game here.
I'm sorry if you were expecting a piece of "hardware" like Marvin posted, and I sincerely hope you aren't disappointed and enjoy them.

Randy

[This message has been edited by randye (edited 08-15-2010).]

Very COOL!

Ron

I used work for Fairchild, building the A-10 Thunderbolt. If you have any photo's of them I'd love them.

quote Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT: I used work for Fairchild, building the A-10 Thunderbolt. If you have any photo's of them I'd love them.

I never worked at GE, otherwise I'd happily send you whatever I might have had on the TF34 and the A-10 airframe.
My career in aerospace engineering began at Aliison Gas Turbine Division, GM in Indianapolis where I did a lot of work on the T56-AD400 engines for the Osprey.
I had a set of full scale arrangement blueprints of that engine, but I donated them to the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson years ago.
I never owned a home with a wall big enough to display them!
I left Allison to go to work for Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach FL and was fortunate enough to begin my career there re-engineering the production tooling and upgrading some parts for the J58 engines for the SR71 Blackbird. During the Carter administration the SR71 was put on the "strategic weapons" list and all the tooling to manufacture spares for both the engines and the airframe were ordered destroyed under the SALT II agreement. This left the USAF to cannibalize the spares they needed from operational aircraft until we reopened the spares program. That was probably some of the most satisfying work I did in my entire career in aerospace.
From there I went on to work on the F100-PW229 engine program which upgraded the engines for the F-15 and F-16. After that I moved on to the RL-10 upper stage hydrogen fuel rocket engine upgrade project and to the Shuttle Main Engine Turbo Pump program. I finished my time with P & W R&D working on the F119 engine project for the F-22 ATF and I left there not long after we received the production contract and our development work in West Palm Beach was pretty much winding down.
I also did work on "black projects" which I will not discuss...

[This message has been edited by randye (edited 08-15-2010).]

quote Originally posted by randye: Randy

Awww dude!!! Okay I lied that is awesome. (That's the Prototype, btw, not the A Model. You can tell by the still angular nose and the pitot tubes sticking out of the nosecone. Also the paintscheme is a dead giveaway.

That will teach me to say I don't need something cool!

quote Originally posted by Flamberge: Awww dude!!! Okay I lied that is awesome. (That's the Prototype, btw, not the A Model. You can tell by the still angular nose and the pitot tubes sticking out of the nosecone. Also the paintscheme is a dead giveaway. That will teach me to say I don't need something cool!

I did mention that the photo is of the #1 test & development aircraft.
Very few photos of this quality, (and size), were taken of the aircraft back then.

You also need to read the entire post!
YOU are also a winner.
Not the "Grand Prize", but a winner never the less.
Send me a PM with your shipping address.

Wow Randye thanks..I love the F-22. It is an amazing aircraft. I will PM you my address. Is you want/need any help with hipping let me know.

Shelby

Randy, those photos are awesome!

When I was a kid, I had about 15-20 model airplanes hanging from the ceiling in my bedroom. My personal favorites were a plastic model of an F-18 which was almost 2 feet long, and a balsa & paper model of a P-47 with a wingspan of about 2.5 feet.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time or patience to build model kits anymore. Maybe when I retire...

quote Originally posted by randye: I did mention that the photo is of the #1 test & development aircraft. Very few photos of this quality, (and size), were taken of the aircraft back then. You also need to read the entire post! YOU are also a winner. Not the "Grand Prize", but a winner never the less. Send me a PM with your shipping address.

It's funny, but it was midnight when I read the post, I guess I missed my name!

PM on the way. THANKS man!!!

quote Originally posted by Flamberge: The 229's are LOUD. My hearing tests went down every year, so now I know who to blame.

Thats funny you mention that.
Not all of my engineering work was a raging success on the first try.
One of our more "spectacular" failures was the first design of the augmenter screech liner. (That strange corrugated sheet metal tube with all the funny holes in it just forward of the nozzle )
We had a 229 development engine on the test stand, (P&W had several test stands arranged around a lake on the property in West Palm Beach), and the engine had the first design screech liner installed in it.
Not 15 minutes into the test routine, (TAC cycles), there was a huge BANG!, alarms went off, automatic fire extnguishers started spraying and there was this mysterious huge SPLASH! out in the middle of the lake and big plume of steam.
It turns out that our screech liner had essentially "wadded up" and was expelled out the nozzle and into the middle of the lake!
There were several iterations of that screech liner that were tested before arriving at the final design, which was much less restrictive, (and everyone *knew* was much louder), but it also added a small extra % of thrust.
Out of all the engines we developed, the 229 was one that we actually got letters from Eagle and Viper drivers *thanking* us for!
They love that engine.

[This message has been edited by randye (edited 08-15-2010).]

quote Originally posted by randye: Thats funny you mention that. Not all of my engineering work was a raging success on the first try. One of our more "spectacular" failures was the first design of the augmenter screech liner. (That strange corrugated sheet metal tube with all the funny holes in it just forward of the nozzle ) We had a 229 development engine on the test stand, (P&W had several test stands arranged around a lake on the property in West Palm Beach), and the engine had the first design screech liner installed in it. Not 15 minutes into the test routine, (TAC cycles), there was a huge BANG!, alarms went off, automatic fire extnguishers started spraying and there was this mysterious huge SPLASH! out in the middle of the lake and big plume of steam. It turns out that our screech liner had essentially "wadded up" and was expelled out the nozzle and into the middle of the lake! There were several iterations of that screech liner that were tested before arriving at the final design, which was much less restrictive, (and everyone *knew* was much louder), but it also added a small extra % of thrust. Out of all the engines we developed, the 229 was one that we actually got letters from Eagle and Viper drivers *thanking* us for! They love that engine.

One of our engine shop guys scratched a message onto the "cone" of the engine. The message?

"Thrust you can trust."

quote Originally posted by randye: ... YOU were the only one to actually inquire ...

That doesn't necessarily mean that the rest of us weren't interested in the outcome. I am the son of a Southern Belle, and I was taught never to inquire about the will while still at the funeral ... it wouldn't be polite.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 08-16-2010).]